Frank P Matthews launches new ‘Apple Rainbow’

Set to be unveiled at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, Frank P Matthews launch an unusual, new apple called ‘Apple Rainbow’.

Frank P Matthew Apple Rainbow

The family run, tree nursery have announced the launch of their new ‘Apple Rainbow’, which Frank P Matthews describe as an “arresting, one-of-a-kind apple variety that combines beauty, biodiversity and bold flavour”.

Bred by brothers Milan and Marijan Prepelic in Croatia, Apple Rainbow is an unusual variety with striped, multicoloured bark, variegated leaves with golden splashes and green-pink-red skin – in addition to good flavour.

“We’ve never seen an apple like this before, it’s genuinely a showstopper in the garden. Every part of this tree is ornamental, its bark, leaves, blossom and of course, the fruit. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to grow something joyful, sustainable and delicious,” said Steph Dunn James, Fourth Generation grower at Frank P Matthews Trees.

A late harvest apple, Apple Rainbow has striking red skin, with green and pink stripes. The flesh is white, non-browning making it ideal for culinary purposes. A crisp apple, it has a tart, mellow sweet flavour. The tree has variegated foliage with golden-centred leaves, striped bark and ornamental flowers.

“Apple Rainbow’s appeal spans beyond the orchard, interiors and garden lovers will value it for its year-round beauty, while cooks and families will appreciate its long shelf life and clean, crisp flavour and aromatic scent. It makes a great stewed apple with smells of classic apple pie. A Nature-Friendly Choice, with pollinator-friendly blossom and fruit that can feed garden birds over winter,” adds the nursery.

Apple Rainbow will be available on a range of rootstocks, including dwarfing types from Frank P Matthews from June and in garden centres from August 2025 onwards.

Established in 1901, Frank P Matthews is a family run nursery and one of the largest tree nurseries in the UK. They grow over 600,000 container grown and bare root, fruit and ornamental trees every year for supply into garden centres, nurseries, mail order companies and commercial growers.